Part-Time Pathfinder

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Working Title Part-Time Pathfinder Role Title Education Support Spec II Role Code 29143-SW FLSA Nonexempt Pay Band 03 Position Number 296W0002 Agency Virginia Highlands Community College Division Virginia Highlands Community College (Div) Work Location Washington - 191 Hiring Range $20 per hr Emergency/Essential Personnel No EEO Category 6-Administrative Support Full Time or Part Time Part Time Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- No Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? No Work Schedule

Must be able to work a flexible schedule up to 20-29 hours per week.

Sensitive Position No Job Description

Virginia Highlands Community College (

VHCC) is located in historic Abingdon, VA and proudly serves the residents of Washington County, western Smyth County, and the city of Bristol, VA. The College offers comprehensive instruction to more than 3,000 students annually, awarding associate degrees, certificates, career studies certificates, and workforce credentials. VHCC enjoys a strong relationship with local school systems in the region and is currently seeking to hire part-time employees to support young students within those schools. Specifically, the fundamental purposes of the VHCC Pathfinder position are to empower middle school students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans and to prepare students for success in secondary and post-secondary education and training. This position will work directly within the middle schools and will assist students in defining education and career aspirations and recognizing secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities that will lead to meaningful employment opportunities

This is not a remote position; it is a part-time role with restrictions.

Position Responsibilities:

• Hold office hours at an assigned middle school in the area;
• Meet with middle school students in an academic advising/career coaching capacity;
• Maintain student records and meet accountability standards for the middle school and VHCC;
• Develop and market activities aimed at informing students, families, and staff members about services provided by the Pathfinder;
• Collaborate with principals and counselors to identify appropriate opportunities for communication to increase awareness of Pathfinders in the middle school;
• Build relationships with key stakeholders to provide a supportive environment for career development;
• Represent VHCC at EO Hub events when respective middle school is present;
• Facilitate transitional hand-off to high school Navigators through activities, meetings, and high school visits;
• Facilitate field trip for 8th grade students to VHCC in spring semester of each year;
• Provide career exploration services through career assessments, group activities, and individual activities/coaching to help align knowledge, skills, and abilities with personal interests to identify career opportunities.
• Assist students in creating, reviewing, and revising academic and career pathways to serve as the basis for further career exploration and for planning high school and post-secondary career development opportunities;
• Design and implement activities focused on setting goals for career, school, and life
• Introduce students and families to post-secondary educational planning utilizing a variety of resources such as the Virginia Wizard;
• Assist students with developing their field of interest, steps necessary for pursuing post-secondary education and activities that increase students' readiness for post-secondary education;
• Introduce students to the concept of Dual Enrollment courses while in high school, to include the 1-1-2 plan;
• Provide a week-long summer day-camp, held on the VHCC campus, for all interested students in coordination with other Pathfinders;
• Assist students in developing and demonstrating workplace skills including collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and responsible citizenship;
• Establish regular follow-up meetings with middle school students to assess effectiveness of actions taken and the need for revisions.

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree from a regionally accredited institution;
• Valid driver's license;
• Expressed ability and willingness to travel to area high schools and to the VHCC campus (must state in cover letter);
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with others (must indicate in resume);
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills (must indicate in resume);
• Demonstrated understanding of and belief in the mission of Virginia Highlands Community College (must state in the cover letter).

Additional Considerations

• Experience in career development and/or advisement;
• Experience working with K-8 students;
• Experience working in a community college setting.

Operation of a State Vehicle No Supervises Employees No Required Travel

Occasionally

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number WGE_3402P Recruitment Type General Public - G Number of Vacancies 2 Position End Date (if temporary) Job Open Date 08/26/2026 Job Close Date 09/09/2026 Open Until Filled Agency Website www.vhcc.edu Contact Name Tiffany VanBuren Email tvanburen@vhcc.edu Phone Number 276-739-2425 Special Instructions to Applicants

For first consideration for the position, ALL required application materials must be received by 5:00 pm EST on September 2, 2026.In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Additional Information Background Check Statement Disclaimer

The selected candidate's offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth's Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/100428

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Other Document
• Alternative Hiring Process Letter